Manna for Your Morning

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” — Matthew 10:21-22 (NLT) When trials, troubles and temptations come your way, don’t grow weary and quit. Let us endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus the Christ. (See 2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV) Hebrews 12:7 (NLT) instructs us to, endure divine discipline, and remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? James 1:12 (NLT) says: God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Whatever challenges and difficulties you face, keep pressing on. Keep following Yeshua. ...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. ...

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you…  — Psalms 42:5-6a (NLT) We get anxious, fearful and discouraged when we forget about God, His greatness and His goodness. We do not have to be afraid or discouraged. Remember Yahweh. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (See Joshua 1:9 NLT) He is on your side and nothing is too difficult for Him. He is a shield about you, your glory, and the One who lifts your head. (See Psalms 3:3 NASB1995) Put your hope in God and continue to praise Him. …the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalms 147:11 NLT) My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.  Interlude — Psalms 62:7-8 (NLT)

Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. — Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP) In all your ways, acknowledge and honor Yahweh as the One true and living God. He is the God Most High. Live submitted to His will and His ways. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. (Proverbs 3:7 TPT) If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.  (James 1:5 AMP)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. — Philippians 1:6 (NLT) God is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in each one of us. Let us submit to the Holy Spirit Who is at work in us. Patiently endure afflictions and hardships. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, (2 Corinthians 4:17). Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 24-25 NLT)

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. — Hebrews 11:6 (NASB1995) Let us be among the faithful, who continue to believe, no matter what. The enemy of our souls wants us to doubt God. But Jesus said: “… believe in God, believe also in Me. ” (See John 14:1) In John 6:29 (AMP), Jesus answered, “This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.” (John 6:29 AMP) 
“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved. (Hebrews 10:37-39 NLT) So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that yo...

“Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.”  “Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God.” — Jeremiah 3:22 (NKJV) If you have been led astray in any area of your life, the Sovereign LORD calls you to return to Him. When we repent and return to the LORD, He heals the hearts of His wayward children, and makes us whole. Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 NASB). We look away from the natural realm and all that will distract us. We focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of...

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. — Lamentations 3:21 (NASB) “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1 NASB) “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” (John 14:27 AMP) “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NASB) You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. — 1 John 4:4 (NASB)

Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]. — James 4:10 (AMP) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV) Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those who give up self-importance]. (Proverbs 3:34b AMP) In Matthew 11:29 (NASB), Jesus instructs us to learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart. He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:8 NKJV). Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) says: Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. — Psalm 138:6 (NLT)

Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. — Colossians 4:2  (AMP) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. (1 Timothy 2:1 NLT) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7) The LORD will be very gracious to you at the sound of your voice; when He hears it, He will answer. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 NLT)

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) We may have to go through some stuff but our legacy, as children of God, is to conquer, overcome, persevere, and walk in victory. “ No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from Me,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17 AMP) And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP). Amen.

“Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God’s bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, but God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you. — Isaiah 60:1-2 (MSG) The Amplified Bible version says to “ Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the LORD] ” (Isaiah 60:1). No matter how dark the outside world becomes, your inside world can still shine with the glorious light of the LORD. Instead of letting the enemy lead you down the dark path of depression, doubt and defeat, live in the light of the Son. In Christ we have new life! As we bear the fruit of His Spirt, we allow the light in us to shine on the world around us. When we consistently exercise love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), those in darkness will be drawn into the marvelous light of the LO...

And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. — Luke 24:52-53 (NKJV)  Let us worship the Lord with great joy. God in His extravagant goodness, grace and mercy has done wonderful works in our lives. O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing! He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence. (Psalm 103:1-5 MSG). We are wrapped in His goodness! Praise the Lord!

Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. — 1 Kings 18:21 (NLT) Our God is so gracious, He gives us the freedom to make choices. He sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing; Then He gives us the right answer and says “choose life, that both you and your descendants may live,” (Deuteronomy 30:19). At any given moment, we can choose to follow God, our flesh, the world, or the devil. When it comes to making choices, don’t remain speechless. We believe, therefore we speak (2 Corinthians 4:13), and we follow through with the corresponding actions. Stop hobbling and being double-minded. Stand up straight and firm. Let every decision you make be, to follow God on the path of life, not just for you, but for the next generation.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. — Acts 17:11-12 (NKJV) Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character (Acts 17:11, NIV). They listened eagerly to Apostle Paul’s message, then they searched the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed. When we hear the Word of God preached, may we also search the Scriptures daily, so that we may believe and know the truth. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Mark 13:22).

I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.  — Psalm 89:1-2 (NIV) The love of God is steadfast and immovable. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Whatever trials and tribulations come your way, know that God loves you and He will see you through. His love stands firm through the storms of life. With the LORD, you are more than a conqueror!

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NLT) We all want the best for ourselves, our spouse, children, family and friends. Our Father, God says, the path He puts us on, is the best one for us. Let us follow, as He instructs us and teaches us the way to go. The good plans the LORD has for you are to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Do not lean on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do.

“ Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, ” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) Most things in our lives are temporary but God's love is eternal. Though the earth may shake and the hills crumble, the love the LORD has for us will never fail. As surely as the sun rises, His compassions toward us are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). When you feel your losses in this life have been great, remember our most valuable and abundant asset is God's unshakeable love.

The true children of God are those who let God's Spirit lead them. The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, "Father." And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children. Romans 8:14-16 (NCV) God has adopted us and we belong in His family. We are children of God and joint heirs with Christ. We are to let God's Spirit shape us to become more like our heavenly Father. May we produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Enjoy consistent fellowship with God and you will absorb more and more of His loving nature. Love, Jackie

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV) Believers are to be patient in affliction. We are to persevere through the struggles we face without complaining or murmuring. The Word tells us the trials we go through on this earth are light and momentary. Let us wait patiently for the deliverance of the LORD and while we wait, praise Him. In peace and patience, Love, Jackie